Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF) Kicks Off 11th Year in Atlanta

*The Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF) will kick off its 11th anniversary celebrations, August 11-14, in beautiful Atlanta, GA.  The PVIFF, the Southeast’s Premiere International Film and Arts Festival returns with an exciting schedule of screenings, educational forums, networking, and awards.  The PVIFF will highlight an even greater exhibition of diversity and prominent programming at this year’s event.  “Diverse imagery” is this year’s theme for the PVIFF.  

Special guests and PVIFF 2016 Award recipients include: Legendary Director, Julie Dash, who will receive a ‘Generational Barrier Breaker Award’ for breaking down barriers with her classic film “Daughters of the Dust” 25 years ago, as well as Emmy Award-winning Actor, Obba Babatunde (“Miss Evers’ Boys,”  “The Manchurian Candidate,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” etc.), who is receiving a Legends Award.  He will also be joining the ‘Cast Me If You Can’ panel.

Additional Legends Awards will be presented to Barbara Niven (“The Perfect Ending”, “Cedar Cove”, etc.) and Actress Loretta Devine (“This Christmas”, “Gray’s Anatomy”, “For Colored Girls”, “Jumping the Broom, “Waiting to Exhale”, etc.) during our closing ceremony, which is being sponsored by the Hallmark Channel.   Acclaimed actor Marc John Jeffries (“Losing Isaiah,” “Monsters Inc.”, “Notorious” etc.) will receive a PVIFF Community Arts Award for his outstanding work in the city of New York arts community beyond the screen.  The PVIFF are also celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the classic stage play “Dream Girls” and honoring this occasion during the closing award ceremony on Saturday, August 13th, at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium, with original stars from the play, Loretta Devine and Obba Babatunde.

“Diversity has always been one of my main focuses as it relates to cinema, especially with PVIFF.  With the festival being birthed out of the African American Cinema Gallery (AACG) and Hispanic Cinema Museum (HCM), it was only fair to ensure the films we highlight and the programs we produce were diverse just like the museums. I’m proud to say PVIFF represents diversity and can only hope that we are a beacon for change or enrichment for other events, award shows, films and programs around the world, “said Len Gibson, CEO/Founder of PVIFF, AACG and HCM.

“For over two decades I have excitedly watched the innovation of the Arts in Music to Film, TV and Digital! Being a catalyst for change and a springboard for artists has always been the objective.  As we approach year 11 in business as PVIFF, the African American Cinema Gallery (AACG) & The Hispanic Cinema Museum (HCM) has contributed to the overall growth as well as been a benefactor of the decade of evolution,” said James “JB” Brown, PVIFF President/Founder & COO of AACG And HCM.

Not only will the PVIFF festival represent more diversity this year, festivalgoers will have numerous opportunities to attend screenings, workshops, meet great filmmakers and business people.  “People (PVIFF festival goers) can expect to see really great indie films, experience life-changing panels and meet great filmmakers and other business people.  The festival this year is all about diversity.  Our goal is to help change the face of Hollywood as it relates to images and imagery.  We are determined to promote inclusion of all nationalities so this year is our launch into the atmosphere to help make this happen,” says Gibson.

He says their goal for this year’s film festival is to show Hollywood and the rest of the filmmaking communities out there that diversity is needed and it is great for business.  “The films that we showcase and the artists we are honoring show that we care about diversity.  We also want filmmakers to leave with deals and others to leave educated,” Gibson says.  “I feel like we are on the horizon with PVIFF.  We started when Rain Forest and Tyler Perry Studios were just starting on the scene and we haven’t left yet.  Our goal is to continue to strive for growth.  We plan to partner with new emerging businesses, especially those who are geared towards new technology.  We want PVIFF to become a worldwide must attend event.” 

Although the film festival can be entertaining, Gibson hopes filmmakers come prepared and take advantage of the opportunities available, attend workshops, and network. “I created PVIFF because I saw a void in the industry for educating filmmakers.  Back in 2001-2002, I was concerned about what most of these young filmmakers were getting out of film festivals.  Unfortunately, most filmmakers were leaving uneducated only because they weren’t prepared when they went and because they took the time there to only party.  We stress the importance of coming to our festival prepared and treating each panel, workshop etc., like it was a core college class.  I feel like we are accomplishing what I set out to do 11 years ago.  I pray that we can continue to educate filmmakers so that our images are brighter, our films tell better stories and better business decisions are made,” says Gibson.

EURweb associate journalist Angela P. Moore is based in the Atlanta area. A passionate writer-and-photographer-at-heart, she freelances for local and national magazines. She pens articles on celebrity profiles, art & music, business, travel, entertainment, health, self-help, and consumer-related issues. She is alsothe founder and owner of APM Public Relations and The Inkwell Agency.In the realization of her life-long passion for writing, Angela will release her debut book winter 2016.   She can be reached via [email protected].

                                                          ###

Opening Night

PVIFF’s opening night premiere will be “Diva Diaries”, directed and produced by acclaimed actress, Tangi Miller (“Madea’s Family Reunion”, “My Girlfriend’s Back,” etc.). The premiere is being hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Stone Mountain-­‐Lithonia Chapter).

The premiere will take place on Thursday, Aug. 11th at the Southwest Arts Center (915 New Hope Rd, SW Atlanta, GA 30331) at 6 p.m.  The after party following the screening will take place at Kapture Night Club in Midtown Atlanta.

PVIFF is premiering the new highly anticipated film “Destined”, which was directed, written, and produced by Qasim Basir; and produced by Tommy Oliver and Hill Harper. The film premieres on Friday, August 12th at the 444 Theatre, 444 Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA. “Destined” is starring Hill Harper, La La Anthony, Cory Hardrict, and more.

Other special features include “Steps,” starring Pauletta Washington; “Everything But a Man,” starring Monica Calhoun; and the Hallmark Channel world premiere of “Chesapeake Shores”, starring Barbara Niven, Diane Ladd, etc.

PVIFF will host groundbreaking panels such as “Financing a BRAND New Perspective”, “Greenlighting Your Future in Film and Television” and the annual favorite “Cast Me If You Can.”  

PVIFF’s events will take place at the following locations in the city of Atlanta:

Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

Panels, Workshops, and Film Screenings, including the Opening Night Premiere onAugust 11 the 444 Theatre, 444 Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Friday, August 12th

Screenings Georgia Pacific Auditorium, 133 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303

World Premiere of Chesapeake Shores, Saturday, August 13th at 4 p. m. and Closing Night Award Ceremony-Red Carpet at 6 p. m. /Ceremony at 7 p. m.

For more information, visit: www.pviffatl.com

For tickets: www.universe.com/pviff

PVIFF 2016’s sponsors include Fulton County Commissioner, Marvin Arrington, ESQ, InkTip (www.inktip.com), Mr. Kevin McElroy, Mr. Gregory Steinseick (www.gregorysteinseick.com), Chimera Innovations (www.chimerainnovations.com), Backstage Magazine, Affluent Atlanta Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, DNA Framework, LLC, Diversity Entertainment Search, Hallmark Channel, TV 4 Entertainment, Georgia Pacific, Chef Maurice, Dan Moore, Jr. & Associates, ATL Connect Radio and more.